The CUPE Ontario Library Workers Committee represents members employed in municipal public libraries and university, college, and school board libraries. The committee is elected at the Ontario Municipal Workers conference and consists of a chair, one member from the North, and five members at large.
The committee strives to:
- represent and promote the interests of all library workers within our union to governments and the public;
- network and formalize communication with library workers across Ontario;
- be a source of ideas and strategies, especially around collective bargaining and political action for better working conditions for all library workers.
In addition to celebrating Ontario Public Library Week in October, the committee works year-round to educate the public, library boards and municipalities about the importance of our work and the vital role we play in our communities.
Libraries are A Public Good
Libraries and library workers are the heart of dynamic and diverse communities. Libraries are open to everyone and they are safe spaces for vulnerable and marginalized populations. Libraries and their workers promote the democratic principles of equity, accessibility, intellectual freedom, freedom of expression, and inclusion.
Libraries help drive the economy. They help break the cycle of poverty by providing free access to the internet, job search tools, and skills development. Library workers promote literacy and provide services for older adults, job seekers, newcomers, teens, parents, and children.
What Can You Do to Support Library Workers?
Get a library card! Every card helps direct more local tax dollars to libraries. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians have a library card, and across Canada libraries log 100 million visits and lend 2.1 million books annually. Please help us increase these numbers.
